Why David Warner would secretly hope Shane Watson returns in the second Test

DAVID Warner must be secretly hoping that Shane Watson is allowed to play the second Test against South Africa in Adelaide as a batsman.

Malcolm Conn

News Corp Australia NetworkNovember 19, 201210:30pm

David Warner in action at training yesterday.Source:Getty Images

DAVID Warner must be secretly hoping that Shane Watson is allowed to play the second Test against South Africa in Adelaide as a batsman.

Because if Watson is ruled out before Thursday’s start, which appears likely, and his first Test replacement, Rob Quiney, has a big game, the spotlight will shine more strongly on Warner’s recent Test and first class performances.

Warner and Ben Hilfenhaus appear the greatest victims from the surfeit of Twenty20 cricket over the past two months, with an impotent Hilfenhaus in danger of losing his place to lanky left armer Mitchell Starc.

Having trailed around Sri Lanka and South Africa slogging white balls in the World Twenty20 and missing games in the Champions League, Warner’s one modest Sheffield Shield match appears to have left him underdone going into this battle for the Test crown.

With Ed Cowan scoring his first Test century in Brisbane to cement his spot into the foreseeable future, Warner made just four and needs runs.

As captain Michael Clarke said leading into the heavyweight series, it’s all about performance and it’s hard to change a losing side.

Since his amazing 180 against India in Perth early this year, his second superb century in his first five Tests, Warner has managed just one half century in his next five Tests, averaging 23.

"I have to try and be consistent and get those big hundreds," Warner said before training in Adelaide yesterday.

"My job is to try and get us off to a good start. If Ed and I can get off to a good start it holds good for the rest of the middle order as well.

"It is how you react to the conditions in Test cricket, prepare mentally, see where and how I will score.

"If I am putting my pressure on them I know I am doing my job instead of sitting there and reacting. I am winning the battle then.

"If I am playing my shots I have to keep going and not fend at anything outside off. Hit the ball into the gaps, that is my game and I will try and do it."

Warner was caught at second slip nicking in Brisbane as Australia tumbled to 3-40 for the six times in the past nine Tests, with some starts even worst.

Getting out early can be the lot of an opening batsman against a quality attack but he needs to do it a little less frequently.

However he played so well in Perth last season it would be a great surprise if the left-hander was not given the opportunity to play there again in the third Test, regardless of what he does in Adelaide.

"I've relaxed and cleared my mind," Warner said of the two mad months that consumed him before this Test series.

"It's good to get a break, good to go home and do a few things and be normal in a way. The last 12 months has been pretty hectic.